GoKawiilFigure AI melts decommissioned F.02 robots in Finnish steel foundry
Figure AI retired its F.02 humanoid robot fleet as the newer F.03 fleet scales up, choosing to melt the robots in a 75-ton electric arc furnace at a foundry in Imatra, Finland rather than disassemble them. The company trained the robots in simulation to jump into molten steel using stunt-artist movement data, and Arnold Schwarzenegger took part in the project after suggesting the melting idea online. The robots executed the jumps autonomously during a 24-hour window at the foundry despite extreme heat and electromagnetic interference.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The disposal method suggests Figure AI treats its actuators and other hardware as sensitive intellectual property worth destroying rather than risking disassembly or resale, which could indicate how competitive the humanoid robotics field has become. The stunt highlights the pace of Figure's product cycle, with F.02 already succeeded by F.03 and F.04 reportedly in development, pointing to rapid iteration in the company's hardware roadmap.
- Figure AI melted its entire F.02 robot fleet in a Finnish foundry instead of disassembling them.
- The company says no US or Mexican foundry would accept robots with lithium-ion batteries, forcing the move abroad.
- Robots were trained in simulation to autonomously jump into molten steel, with Arnold Schwarzenegger involved in the project.
Source: figure.ai, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “F.02 Decommission”
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